Sexy model, Shakur serves up your drink of choice in this set of photos from Vibe.

US launches military action against Libya

President Barack Obama authorized limited military action against Libya Saturday, saying Moammar Gadhafi's continued assault on his own people left the U.S. and its international partners with no other choice. The Pentagon said 112 cruise missiles were launched from US and UK ships and subs, hitting 20 targets.

Obama said military action was not his first choice.

"This is not an outcome the U.S. or any of our partners sought," Obama said from Brazil, where he is starting a five-day visit to Latin America. "We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy."

A senior military official said the U.S. launched air defenses Saturday with strikes along the Libyan coast that were launched by Navy vessels in the Mediterranean. The official said the assault would unfold in stages and target air defense installations around Tripoli, the capital, and a coastal area south of Benghazi, the rebel stronghold.

Obama declared once again that the United States would not send ground forces to Libya, though he said he is "deeply aware" of the risks of taking any military action.

Earlier in the day, Obama warned that the international community was prepared to act with urgency.

"Our consensus was strong, and our resolve is clear. The people of Libya must be protected, and in the absence of an immediate end to the violence against civilians our coalition is prepared to act, and to act with urgency," Obama said.

Top officials from the U.S., Europe and the Arab world meeting in Paris, where they announced Saturday immediate military action to protect civilians caught in combat between Gadhafi's forces and rebel fighters. American ships and aircraft were poised for action but weren't participating in the initial French air missions.

As the military action was announced, French fighter jets swooped over Benghazi, the opposition stronghold that was stormed by Libyan government forces earlier Saturday, in defiance of a proclaimed ceasefire.

France, Britain and the United States had warned Gadhafi Friday that they would resort to military means if he ignored the U.N. resolution demanding a cease-fire.

The United States has a host of forces and ships in the area, including submarines, destroyers, amphibious assault and landing ships.

The U.S. intended to limit its involvement — at least in the initial stages — to helping protect French and other air missions by taking out Libyan air defenses, but depending on the response could launch additional attacks in support of allied forces, a U.S. official said. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of military operations.

Source: Yahoo - AP National Security Writer Robert Burns contributed to this report from Washington

Supermoon: Biggest Full Moon in 18 Years Occurs Saturday Night

Thanks to a fluke of orbital mechanics that brings the moon closer to Earth than that it has been in more than 18 years, the biggest full moon of 2011 will occur on Saturday, leading some observers to dub it a "supermoon."

On Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the moon will arrive at its closest point to the Earth in 2011: a distance of 221,565 miles (356,575 kilometers) away. And only 50 minutes earlier, the moon will officially be full. [Photos: Our Changing Moon]

At its peak, the supermoon of March may appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than lesser full moons (when the moon is at its farthest from Earth), weather permitting. Yet to the casual observer, it may be hard to tell the difference.

The supermoon will not cause natural disasters, such as the Japan earthquake, a NASA scientist has stressed.

Source: Yahoo

Young Money Hopes To Turn 'Porcelain Black' Into Rock & Roll Gold, Meet Their New Artist

According to Rap-Up the label had added rocker, Porcelain Black to it's roster. The singer joins UK pop star Jay Sean and rocker Kevin Rudolph as a growing number on non rap acts call YM/CM home.

Black was introduced at the 1st show in Providence, RI on Lil Wayne's "I Am Music II" North American tour.

Her 1st single is titled “This Is What Rock ‘N’ Roll Looks Like,” and features Lil Wayne is suppose to hit iTunes on March 29.

It will be interesting to see if Wayne will continue to make rock influenced songs. His 'Rebirth' album was either hit or miss with most fans.

Watch Mike Tyson Curing Your Angry Birds Addiction

Lil Wayne Reveals Tha Carter IV Release Date: May 16

MTV Shows

MTV reports:

Lil Wayne's highly anticipated forthcoming album, Tha Carter IV, finally has an official release date: May 16. Weezy F. Baby revealed the date Wednesday, during opening night of his I Am Music II Tour in Rhode Island.

"Tha Carter IV is done," Wayne told MTV News. "All they need to do is tell Tez (manager Cortez Bryant) to stop sitting on it. Tez, stop sitting on Tha Carter IV and put the album out."

Bryant, Weezy's longtime manager, was in attendance and provided the specific release date. "May 16, believe that," Wayne said. "It can come out tomorrow 'cause I'm so finished ... Tha Carter IV will be dropping May 16. If you're not doing anything, do me," he added.

The album's lead single, the Bangladesh-produced "6 Foot 7 Foot," features Young Money artist Cory Gunz. Recently, on the set of her upcoming video for "Super Bass," fellow YM artist Nicki Minaj revealed to MTV News that she completed a verse for the album.

"I think Carter IV is gonna just be exceptional, of course," she said. "I think Wayne is definitely on his grind crazy right now."

Champions League quarter-final draw

Holders FC Internazionale Milano will meet FC Schalke 04 in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after Friday's draw, though the tie of the round is perhaps the all-English meeting between Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC. UEFA has announced the full fixture list.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team denied Chelsea a first European Champion Clubs' Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in Moscow three years ago, and the London club will have a shot at revenge next month. While Chelsea are reigning English champions, United currently lead them by nine points in the Premier League and have history on their side in the competition having been crowned Europe's finest three times.

The Inter-Schalke encounter has fewer precedents, but having required a late goal to edge out FC Bayern München in the round of 16 the Nerazzurri will not take German opposition lightly. Older fans will need no reminder that the teams have met at the business end of a major European competition before, Schalke beating Inter in Italy in the 1997 UEFA Cup final on penalties.

Nine-time trophy winners Real Madrid CF will come up against Tottenham Hotspur FC in their first quarter-final since 2003/04, after Cristiano Ronaldo's wish that "maybe it would be better to come up against Barcelona further down the line" was granted.

The Spanish rivals could yet face off in the last four, however, as the winners of their tie will take on whichever side prevails between FC Barcelona and quarter-final debutants FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Quarter-final draw (5/6 and 12/13 April)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG)
Chelsea FC (ENG) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
FC Barcelona (ESP) v FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v FC Schalke 04 (GER)

Semi-final draw (26/27 April and 3/4 May)
1: Inter/Schalke v Chelsea /Manchester United
2: Madrid/Tottenham v Barcelona/Shakhtar

Final (28 May, Wembley)
Winner semi-final 2 v Winner semi-final 1

Source: uefa.com

Twitter Celebrates its 5th Anniversary (Featuring Soulja Boy & Perez Hilton)

What came first, Twitter or the Tweet? Dr. T. Wheaton (Professor of Tweetology), Perez Hilton and Soulja Boy try to piece together the beginning of Twitter!

Japanese Dog Refuses to Leave Injured Friend

It's a universal truth that dogs are man's best friend, but they're pretty darn loyal to their own as well. Case in point: this tear-inducing video, via the website Jezebel, showing a dog, shivering and disoriented, remaining loyally by the side of a stricken fellow canine amid the devastation of the Japanese tsunami.

CNN and the UK Telegraph have both reported that the dogs have been rescued since the footage aired, and are both receiving veterinary care; the more seriously wounded dog is at a clinic in the city of Mito, while the protective spaniel-type dog is receiving care at a shelter in the same town.

Here is an English translation of the voiceover exchange between the two reporters in the clip (translation courtesy of Toshiyuki Kitamura):

We are in Arahama area. Looks like there is a dog. There is a dog. He looks tired and dirty. He must have been caught in the tsunami. He looks very dirty.

He has a collar. He must be someone's pet. He has a silver collar. He is shaking. He seems very afraid.

Oh, there is another dog. I wonder if he is dead.

Where?

Right there. There is another dog right next to the one sitting down. He is not moving. I wonder. I wonder if he is alright.

The dog is protecting him.

Yes. He is protecting the dog. That is why he did not want us to approach them. He was trying to keep us at bay.

I can't watch this. This is a very difficult to watch.

Oh. Look. He is moving. He is alive. I am so happy to see that he is alive.

Yes! Yes! He is alive.

He looks to be weakened. We need to them to be rescued soon. We really want them rescued soon.

Oh good. He's getting up.

It is amazing how they survived the tremendous earthquake and tsunami. It's just amazing that they survived through this all...

Source: Yahoo

Jay-Z & Beyonce To Duet On Dr Dre's Detox?

One of the hardest things for Dr Dre to do these days is pair down the list of songs and features for 'Detox.'

One person we were pretty sure would be on the disc was Jay-Z. The track "Under Pressure" brought Brooklyn and Compton together laster year. Now there's a rumor Houston could be added to that mix. Beyonce and Jay might collaborate together with Dre for the project.

"Jay and Dre have recorded their verses with the chorus left open for Beyoncé to sing," a source told The Sun "The producer has worked on Detox for over a decade. He wanted the couple together."

It will Be Beyonce and Jay's 1st song together since 2007's "Pray" off Jigga's 'American Gangster' LP.

Source: paperchaser

Justin Bieber Wax Figures Unveiled at Madame Tussauds

Justin Bieber joined the prestigious list of pop stars honored with wax figures when lifelike replicas of the singer were unveiled yesterday (Mar. 15) at Madame Tussauds wax museums in New York, Amsterdam and London.

At the New York unveiling, Bieber's wax figure was surrounded by replicas of such esteemed company as the Obamas, John F. Kennedy, Ghandi and Princess Diana. Dozens of screaming Bieber fans were on hand to welcome the wax figure to the exhibit, and many seized the opportunity to plant kisses on the pop star.

"I'll be removing a lot of lipstick from him," said Madame Tussauds artist Morfy Gikas, who is in charge of maintaining the museum figures. "I also think he will need a lot of hair maintenance."

While the New York figure sports a black vest and black Balenciaga pants, the Madame Tussauds in London -- which the real Bieber stopped by today -- holds a wax figure clad in a red flannel. Bieber's figure was created in London and took nearly four months to complete, as the singer spent hours with artists who used over 250 precise measurements to create the wax teen.

"Thanks to the fans and @TussaudsLondon for today. From staring thru the glass to being made in wax inside... #neversaynever," the pop star wrote on Twitter today.

The New York figure will find a permanent home in Madame Tussauds VIP Room alongside wax figures of fellow pop stars Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Bieber's mentor, Usher.

"I think it's clear 'Bieber Fever' is in full effect here," said Madame Tussauds New York General Manager Bret Pidgeon. "I am sure he will get a lot of attention. He's a great addition to the attraction."

Source: billboard.com

Singer Nate Dogg Dead At Age 41

One of the pioneers of the West Coast's g-funk sound has passed away.

According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, 41-year old Nathanial Hale aka Nate Dogg is dead.

The singer had suffered 2 strokes in the last several years. Last year Warren G made a video plea to fans asking for financial support for Nate.

Nate came into the game during the Death Row Records era with Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Tha Dogg Pound. Although he had several solo albums, Nate will be most remembered for singing hooks and ushering in the g-funk era when he and Warren-G dropped "Regulate".

R.I.P. Nate

Source: paperchaser

Rihanna Says Chris Brown Assault Liberated Her "I Needed To Know How To Say F*ck Off" (5 Vogue Pics)

Rihanna found a way to turn a horrible situation into a positive and she's more than willing to talk about it.

In the new issue of Vogue, Riri rehashes the Chris Brown assault situation, saying it gave he music an edge.

"It actually gave me a lot of liberation. What I mean is, I was able to tap into the personal part of my music. I started to tell stories through my music that were actually my stories.

"My album before that, there was still a little bit of protection, there was still an innocence to me. And what that time in my life did was kind of wake people up - it's not all a bed of roses. My life is like yours.

"It made me look at the world in a much bigger way because my life was suddenly superduper magnified; all eyes were on me. I needed that in my life to know how to say, 'F**k off!' To know how to keep my head high even in the worst of situations. I keep using the word unapologetic, but there's a freedom that has come with all of that. Where you feel like you don't have to make an excuse for being yourself."

In other Rihanna news, the singer has been rumored to be on a list of singers/actresses for 'The Bodyguard' remake.

Source: ThisIs50

Shakira And Shakiro

Check out this fella from Chile who has now been dubbed "Shakiro" after this amazing rendition of a Shakira classic! (above)
His debut aired last week on the Megavisión television show, “Yo Soy,” which challenges imitators.

Dubbed "Shakiro", Rodolfo got to meet his idol shortly after his performance went viral!
Check out the video (above)

Drake nearly gets arrested at Mavado concert in Jamaica for Cursing

During a recent performance at Fantasy Island for the weeklong BritJam festival, Mavado brought on his friend Drake for a special guest appearance. Drake is currently an artist-in-residence at Jamaica’s luxury resort, GeeJam, where everyone from Gwen Stefani to Amy Winehouse have combined retreat and recording. But even though he was told to keep the language clean, Drake must have gotten caught up in the moment, when he said something like “Everywhere me go, me seh Jamaica to the blood clot world.”
“Blood clot” being the definition of “indecent language” in Montego Bay’s local rule book.

Now in the past, MoBay authorities have charged high profile cuss-offenders like Snoop, Ja Rule, and even Jamaican acts like Beenie Man and Sean Paul. But according to Brit Jam insiders, Drake’s own guards grabbed him off the stage and pulled him away, so even though police were there, he avoided getting arrested.

Source: ThisIs50

Eminem More Popular Than MJ on Facebook (Em is now the most popular artist on Facebook…)

Move over Michael Jackson, Eminem is now the most popular artist on Facebook; alive or dead.

AOL News reports that the Detroit lyricist officially claimed the title over the weekend when he surpassed the King of Pop with the most likes on the social networking site. As of press time Em has 30,339,050 likes, while MJ has 29,889,0268.

Last month, the Detroit bred superstar made headlines after he exceeded Lady Gaga’s status on Facebook. She is currently in second place with 30,150,676 likes. This battle is sure to be ongoing, as both Gaga and Jackson are known to have very supportive fanbases.

Source: XXL

Maino Feat. Swizz Beatz, Jim Jones, Jadakiss & Joell Ortiz -We Keep It Rockin (Official Video)

MAINO FEAT SWIZZ BEATZ, JIM JONES, JADAKISS & JOELL ORTIZ "WE KEEP IT ROCKIN" from Michael Dispenza on Vimeo.

Shakira and Gerard Pique kissing

Video Of NBC NiteCap: 50 Cent Says "I Get The Phone Call For The Bad Guy"

Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen Reunite At Chicago Bulls 20 Year Celebration/Reunion

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were together again for another championship celebration, this time to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Chicago Bulls' first title.

The Hall of Famers along with some teammates and coaches were on hand for a halftime ceremony during Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz, reliving their past glory.

There was Jordan dunking over Patrick Ewing again. Pippen was wreaking havoc on both ends, John Paxson was nailing jumpers, the Pistons were hurrying off the court and the Bulls were hoisting the trophy, drenched in champagne after knocking off the Lakers.

It was all there during a video set to Tom Petty's "Learning to Fly" that kicked off the festivities.

Former Bulls broadcaster Jim Durham served as the master of ceremonies, and there were loud cheers as each player was introduced, starting with Dennis Hopson. Horace Grant and John Paxson each received a nice ovation, and fans just about came unglued when Pippen was introduced.

And when Jordan was called? Well, the roar was what anyone would expect.

In his address to the crowd, Pippen thanked the organization for bringing "back a memory that we all want to live again just one more time."

"This is very special for us," he said.

Jordan, grinning ear-to-ear, thanked the Bulls for "allowing us to reunite" and added, "You guys are in store for a lot of other championships."

The current team with Derrick Rose leading the way is stirring memories of a championship era that kicked into gear 20 years ago. The 1990-91 team went 61-21 and finally beat Detroit after losing to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals the previous two years, then took out Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers in five games to start the first of Chicago's two three-peats.

"I was just talking to Paxson," Jordan said after the ceremony. "I said, 'You guys could be the best team in the East if you play the type of basketball you guys have been playing. I don't think it's going to take them seven years."

That's how long it took for Jordan, who endorsed Rose for league MVP.

"That kid has come into his own," Jordan said. "He's matured quite a bit. When he came into the league, everybody said he had speed and can get to the rim, but he can't shoot. Now, he can shoot the 3 as well as pull-up shots. He has very few flaws. I'm pretty sure the next thing they're going to say is he doesn't play good defense or can't handle the double team. Time will tell.

"I think he's a great piece for this franchise to rebuild with. They've got some other pieces that helped them quite a bit. Everybody's talking about Boston, everybody's talking about Miami and Orlando, you tend to forget about Chicago."

Several key members of the first championship team were absent on Saturday, most notably Phil Jackson and Jerry Krause. In a taped message, Jackson said the clinching win was "truly an exciting moment for all of us" and was "just the start of something big."

Source: ThisIs50

DJ Superstar Jay Presents: "I Am Mixtapes...78" - Hosted By Charlie Sheen (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Click HERE to Download!

Rihanna Sports Lots Of Cleavage While Out For Dinner In L.A.

Rihanna creates an event no matter where she is. So here we check her out leaving Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica. Ca yesterday (February 13).

Looking a bit buzzed or perhaps tired, the singer showed lots of cleavage as she walked to her vehicle outside one of her favorite restaurants.

Source: ThisIs50

Potential Sex Tape Leak Could Be A Big Mess For Usher & Ex-Wife Tameka Foster

Usher's not too recent past may be coming back to haunt him.

There's a reported sex tape being shopped around Hollywood, featuring the R&B singer and ex wife Tameka Foster.

Having viewed a couple of scenes from the skin flick, TMZ is confirming that it's authentic and that the two are both "givers."

Neither Usher or Tameka have commented since this information leaked.

Kanye West Ft. Lil Wayne, Drake & Big Sean – All the Lights (Remix)

Ne-Yo Talks About Starring In "Battle: Los Angeles"

Emanuele Giaccherini's 'impossible' double miss against Juve

Japan’s earthquake shifted balance of the planet

Last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan has actually moved the island closer to the United States and shifted the planet's axis.

The quake caused a rift 15 miles below the sea floor that stretched 186 miles long and 93 miles wide, according to the AP. The areas closest to the epicenter of the quake jumped a full 13 feet closer to the United States, geophysicist Ross Stein at the United States Geological Survey told The New York Times.

The world's fifth-largest, 8.8 magnitude quake was caused when the Pacific tectonic plate dived under the North American plate, which shifted Eastern Japan towards North America by about 13 feet (see NASA's before and after photos at right). The quake also shifted the earth's axis by 6.5 inches, shortened the day by 1.6 microseconds, and sank Japan downward by about two feet. As Japan's eastern coastline sunk, the tsunami's waves rolled in.
Why did the quake shorten the day?  The earth's mass shifted towards the center, spurring the planet to spin a bit faster. Last year's massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile also shortened the day, but by an even smaller fraction of a second. The 2004 Sumatra quake knocked a whopping 6.8 micro-seconds off the day.

Source: Yahoo

Wiz Khalifa Releases Tracklist For 'Rolling Papers'. Speaks On CD & New Movie With Snoop

1. When I’m Gone
2. On My Level (feat. Too $hort)
3. Black And Yellow
4. Roll Up
5. Hopes & Dreams
6. Wake Up
7. The Race
8. Star Of The Show (feat. Chevy Woods)
9. No Sleep
10. Get Your S***
11. Top Floor
12. Fly Solo
13. Rooftops (feat. Curren$y)
14. Cameras

With a smash single, "Black and Yellow" and brand new album, 'Rolling Papers' about to drop March 29, Wiz talked to Rolling Stone about the project.

"It's gonna be a great collection of my latest, greatest music," Wiz said. "So everything is brand new, the subject matter is brand new, the music is brand new. So you're just gonna get to hear the newest version of me."

Wiz added that he and Snoop Dogg are writing a new movie and soundtrack titled "High School", so we'll be on the lookout for that.

Violator All-Star DJs Present: "Welcome To The V...Volume 2" (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Click HERE to Download!

Jennifer Lopez Gets ‘Into’ Lil Wayne on Second Single

Jennifer Lopez hit the floor with Pitbull and now she’s got another rapper waiting in the wings. The sexy superstar has enlisted her current favorite MC Lil Wayne for her next single.

The “American Idol” judge revealed that the Young Money boss is featured on the follow-up to her smash “On the Floor.” “My next single I believe will be a song called ‘I’m Into You’ and it’s gonna feature Lil Wayne, so look out for that,” she told fans during a chat for Saturday Night Online.

She went on to share why Weezy took the place of Nas as her favorite rapper. “To me just the things he says and the way he says it is very unique, and I feel like he has a fresh new voice,” she said, previously telling Angie Martinez that she works out to his music. “He might be one of the best out there right now. He might be the best.”

While her seventh studio album Love? is currently slated for April 19, J.Lo says it will likely be released in late May after two or three singles.

Also on the busy diva’s agenda are Spanish versions to her songs from Love? followed by another full-length Spanish album and a greatest hits package. In addition, she is contemplating a world tour for later this year.

Source: Rap-Up

Yelawolf Says "We (Yela, Slaughterhouse, & Eminem) Got The Hardest Crew"

When Yelawolf talks about his crew being the best, that's classic hip hop right there.

"There might be some underground crews that are coming close, but these dudes don't want it man," Yelawolf says "Artistically and creativlely, we got the hardest crew."

The 2.0 crew of Yelawolf, Slaughterhouse (Royce Da 5'9, Joe Budden, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz) and Eminem are formidable, but there are other really good crews out there.

G-Unit, D-Block, The Diplomats, 1017 Brick Squad, Young Money, Militia, G.O.O.D Music, Square Off are just a few off the top.

What crews do you think could go toe to toe with Yela and company in a battle?

Pharoahe Monch - Clap [One Day] (2011 Extended Official Music Video)

As Rich NFL Owners & Players Argue Over Billions, Football Comes To A Halt

On one side you have billionaire owners guarding their pots of gold like greedy leprechauns. On the flip side there are spoiled NFL players who make way too much money in the first place.

As you may have heard, the owners locked the players out yesterday (February 11) after the two sides failed to agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The players then decertified their union, with Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and 7 others filing a class acition lawsuit.

That these 2 sides couldn't figure out how to split up $9 billion dollars makes you wonder why we're so fascinated with sports in the first place. It's obviously a big money grab with little or no thought given to how the fans feel.

Think I'm wrong? Just wait until the NBA goes through the same thing in July when their CBA expires.

Both sides are blaming each other in this NFL owners vs the players mess

"We know that you want football. You will have football. This will be resolved," the league said in a statement.

The NFL Players Union boss DeMaurice Smith didn't sound as sure.

"I would dare any one of you to pull out any economic indicator that would suggest that the National Football League is falling on hard times," Smith said. "The last 14 days, the National Football League has said, 'Trust us.' But when it came time for verification, they told us it was none of our business."

Source: ThisIs50

Casio Snaps Up Nicki Minaj for Camera Launch Party

Nicki Minaj is teaming up with Casio to help celebrate the launch of the Casio TRYX pocket camera by performing at the kickoff party next month.

The star-studded event, dubbed TRYX OUT: NYC 2011, is set to take place on April 7 at New York City’s Best Buy Theater in Times Square. The Pink Friday rapper will take the stage during the show, which will also feature a live performance by hip-hop group The Roots.

Nicki couldn’t help but gush over the new tech gadget. “Casio sure knows how to design a camera,” she said. “I’m excited to be part of the TRYX OUT: NYC 2011 launch party and look forward to working together with Casio to make sure this camera gets the party it deserves! With a TRYX in my hand, there’s no doubt that I’ll be able to take incredible images and video on tour and beyond.”

Shortly before the launch event, Nicki will hit the road with Lil Wayne on his “I Am Music II” tour, beginning March 18 in Buffalo, New York, and traveling across North America.

Source: Rap-Up

Japan's death toll likely over 10,000

SENDAI, Japan – The estimated death toll from Japan's disasters climbed past 10,000 Sunday as authorities raced to combat the threat of multiple nuclear reactor meltdowns and hundreds of thousands of people struggled to find food and water. The prime minister said it was the nation's worst crisis since World War II.

Nuclear plant operators worked frantically to try to keep temperatures down in several reactors crippled by the earthquake and tsunami, wrecking at least two by dumping sea water into them in last-ditch efforts to avoid meltdowns. Officials warned of a second explosion but said it would not pose a health threat.

Near-freezing temperatures compounded the misery of survivors along hundreds of miles (kilometers) of the northeastern coast battered by the tsunami that smashed inland with breathtaking fury. Rescuers pulled bodies from mud-covered jumbles of wrecked houses, shattered tree trunks, twisted cars and tangled power lines while survivors examined the ruined remains.

The death toll surged because of a report from Miyagi, one of the three hardest hit states. The police chief told disaster relief officials more than 10,000 people were killed, police spokesman Go Sugawara told The Associated Press. That was an estimate — only 400 people have been confirmed dead in Miyagi, which has a population of 2.3 million.

According to officials, more than 1,400 people were confirmed dead — including 200 people whose bodies were found Sunday along the coast — and more than 1,000 were missing in Friday's disasters. Another 1,700 were injured.

Hundreds of thousands of hungry survivors huddled in darkened emergency centers that were cut off from rescuers, aid and electricity. At least 1.4 million households had gone without water since the quake struck and some 1.9 million households were without electricity.

While the government doubled the number of soldiers deployed in the aid effort to 100,000 and sent 120,000 blankets, 120,000 bottles of water and 29,000 gallons (110,000 liters) of gasoline plus food to the affected areas, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said electricity would take days to restore. In the meantime, he said, electricity would be rationed with rolling blackouts to several cities, including Tokyo.

Source:
Yahoo - Todd Pitman reported from Sendai. Associated Press writers Eric Talmadge and Kelly Olsen in Koriyama and Malcolm J. Foster, Mari Yamaguchi, Tomoko A. Hosaka and Shino Yuasa in Tokyo contributed to this report.